Controllable Reconstruction of β-Bi<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/Bi<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> Composite for Highly Efficient and Durable Electrochemical CO<sub>2</sub> Conversion
Yuxuan Xiao, Di Liu, Yang Jiao, Jinxian Feng, Wenhao Gu, Lulu Qiao, Weng Fai Ip, Hui Pan
Abstract
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide The uncontrollable electrochemical reduction reconstruction, leading to the destruction of well-defined structure and subsequent low durability, is the main obstacle to the catalytic performance of Bi-based composites toward electrochemical CO 2 reduction reaction (eCO 2 RR). Herein, we address this issue through construction of a novel β-Bi 2 O 3 /Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 composite, which can resist the reduction reconstruction of Bi-based materials to metallic Bi during the eCO 2 RR process by modulating a more alkaline microenvironment that facilitates the formation of new Bi–O bonds. The synergistic interactions and directional electron transfer between the β-Bi 2 O 3 and Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 components, together with the stable composite structure, result in its superior activity and selectivity for formate production with high faradaic efficiencies (FEs) over 94% from −0.7 to −1.1 V, and remarkable durability with maintenance of 80% FE after continuous electrocatalysis of 720 h. This work sheds new light on designing advanced high-performance nanomaterials toward eCO 2 RR and other practical applications.